“Huh!” said Rain arriving at his location and seeing no one around him or in his fifty by fifty foot room. Rain looked around the stone walled room and walked along its same tiled floor to notice a blue crystal glimmer resonating out between the grit of the stone, thinking it meant nothing but splashy décor he went on.

“Dawn…Cloud…..Artanis” Rain called looking for them and after waiting figuring that no one else was showing up.

Rain saw across the room an open doorway that as he walked to towards it being the only way he could go, it closed sealing the opening with a portcullis grate locking Rain inside. Rain ran up to it and tried to budge it open using his own strength but nothing gave way. While struggling with the gate Rain saw Dawn and Artanis emerges into adjacent room, it looked like a quick put together laboratory with a crude simple set up, it had one table with only a handful of ingredients on it and some empty containers.

“What the…where’s Rain and Cloud’ said Dawn looking around the room.

“Dawn!” Rain shouted from the bars, and coming over to him she looked puzzled and asking what happened and where Cloud was.

“I don’t know, can you lift these bars” Rain asked

Dawn using her vampire strength tried to lift the grate but only the sound of metal grinding to a lock was hard, she then tried to bend them width ways but still no success.

“This doesn’t make sense, why put us in separate rooms” said Dawn

“Ah!” barked Artanis getting pricked by a dart to his right arm, he pulls it out and shows Dawn the dart but dropping it he then falls to his knees.

“Artanis what’s wrong you ok?” she said

“Ah, my skin it’s heating up and burning” Artanis replied undoing his armor and leather shirt, he takes them off and looks at his skin to see nothing wrong. “It really hurts” he says again rubbing his chest to stop the stinging sensation.

“Artanis, you ok” Rain said through the bars looking as good as he can “Dawn, what happened”

“I don’t know Rain he’s in a lot of pain”

“Let’s see the dart” Rain requested and bringing it to him Rain looked closely at its design “It’s an Ambionic toxin dart”

“What’s that” Dawn said

“A devil conversion poison for easy translation” Rain said

“But I’m already a demon” said Artanis groaning a bit

“But not a devil, devils are pure evil and run off hatred” Rain says and hearing this Artanis looks to the wall by him to see shackles connected to the stone, he goes to them and links his wrists and ankles to them.

“Artanis what are you doing get out of those”

“Dawn if I’m changing I don’t want to hurt you, this is for your protection”

“What can I do” said Dawn, Rain asked her to go to the table and list off to him what things are on it, “But I don’t know alchemy Rain I’m no good at it, I can’t even cook!”

“This must be a test of some sort of test on our weaknesses, Cloud must be going through the same thing but why am I in here this all seems (hearing a sound behind him)…too…easy (turning around slowly) HOLY SHIT!” ended Rain dodging a swing of an axe blade from a suit of armor animated and attacking by itself, the suit looked to be about twelve feet tall and throwing around an axe twice Rain’s size. The striking miss brought a ringing sound to the bars of the blocked doorway startling Dawn as she skimmed through the items.

“Rain are you ok…Rain?” Dawn said again seeing the monster.

“Dawn the items, on the table what are they?” Rain snapped out as he moved from the iron golem “This must be a test of weak points yours being alchemy and mine being melee combat, we need to help each other to save Artanis” Rain went on and tossing a spell at the golem it did as he thought it would; nothing. Rain then caste a stone skin spell to himself to live longer against such a mass while Dawn says to him the items.

“Rain, there’s Wolf’s bane, Bloodroot, water…uh (hears a thud against the stone wall in Rain’s room, then hears Rain groan) Rain you ok”

“Fine” he answers getting up and dodging another attack “What else”

“Toad Clove, Gaboria juice, poison ivy leaves and dove feathers…Rain did you get all that”

“Yeah” he replied…..”Well can I make anything?!!”

“Shut- up I’m thinking” Rain snapped dodging another attack “Hexoagen” Rain said aloud

“What!” Dawn said

“A common ailment used for all sorts of treatments but will cure any curse if used with the blood of the victim” Rain explained “Mix what I tell you ok…Dawn (sees her watching Artanis) Dawn focus or he won’t be there” Rain bolts and running to the table she asks what needs to be done.

“First mash the bloodroot into a bowl” Rain says and doing it Dawn looks to see Artanis sweating and groveling in pain hanging from the chains, “What’s next” Dawn says finishing, “Add three parts toad clove and one cup Gaboria juice” Rain says now drawing his blade to block some swipes from the beast making his stone armor last longer…”You finished yet”

“Almost”

“Hurry Dawn”

“Don’t rush me Rain please!” she barks back looking at Artanis who now has his eyes changing color as he strains the chains to their limits from the pain. “Finished what now”

“Next is uh! (Blocking an attack) the wolf’s bane and…ah! (blocking another swing) ivy leaves!” Rain shouts, “What about the feathers” questions Dawn ,”There’s no need (huffing from exhaustion from evading the beast) for the dove parts here” Rain says through his breath, as Dawn does the next step she hears a change in Artanis’s voice to more a demonic tone and he yells through the pain, as a second pair of horns emerge from his head piercing his skin and running blood down his head at the incision mark, “Hurry Dawn or there will be nothing left to save” , “Rain you’re not helping” Dawn snaps, and finishing up she sees the mix turn from its mossy green color to a clear blue liquid, Rain tells her to add some of his blood and the mix should turn yellow and it’ll be ready for him to drink. She goes to him and dodging his thrusting actions she cuts his arms spilling some drops to the mixture, she backs away and waits till the change in color takes place but nothing happens.

“Nothing’s happening. It’s not changing. Rain!! “She then hears a violent thud against the wall this time shaking dust off the stone in her chamber. Rain grumbles as he rolls to his knees and hands spitting up blood through his stone structured lips recovering from the horrific toss and slow getting his feet; “Rain!” Dawn cries

“I’m here Dawn…it might need to be cleansed” Rain said suddenly getting gripped by the beast at his throat.

“Cleansed what cleansed?” “Blood… (Gasping) Not… (Gasping) Pure” Rain struggles to her

“Blood not pure (snaps her fingers) put the blood in holy water, ok I get It I know what to do” says Dawn running to Artanis again and taking another sample of blood, she sees a mucky pasty substance now accumulating to his back as he is lying face down almost on the verge of passing out. As Dawn recites the words to making the water potent enough for cleansing Rain groans again hitting the ground hard from yet another assault “Whatever you’re doing Dawn speed it up, I don’t know how long I can last over here” she concludes the cast and puts the blood to the water watching it boil from it impurity almost instantly, she then adds it to the mixture to see it turn yellow rapidly. “It’s working” she says excited and taking it to Artanis she sees the paste ooze off of him and reveal bat wing that take its place, she leans him back and holding his head up pours the mix to his lips, he coughs at it’s disgusting taste and texture but Dawn holds forcefully keeps it at his lips until it was gone from the bowl. Dawn then looks to his skin to see it turning back to his normal skin color and the horns receding back, she smiles for a second until the changes stop after that and the eyes and wings remain

Artanis then comes to clearing his throat and hearing his voice is back to normal she smiles sort of, “What’s wrong Dawn” Artanis says with concern “The potion, it worked but not completely…oh god I messed up…I’ve ruined you”

“No Dawn you haven’t” Rain said leaning tired against the bars looking at them “The curse was very strong and potent, this backlash of a result sometimes happens, if you didn’t concoct it right Artanis would be full devil by now…you did good Dawn…really good” said Rain with relief looking to his own chamber and seeing the golem lying lifeless on the ground. Dawn held the horrid look to her face and Artanis hugs her tight “I’m sorry Artanis…I’m so sorry” she wept crying to his arms,

“Hey shhh its ok we’ll get through this, Dawn this is nothing” Artanis says to her scared face when the ground begins to shake, the table vibrates and vials smash to the floor.

“What’s happening?”

“Earthquake” Artanis says, and the ground opens beneath him and pushing Dawn to solid ground Artanis falls into a deep dark pit, “ARTANIS!!!” Dawn yells looking down, when moments later the ground starts to give way around her. Rain pushes for all the strength he has finally dislodging the bars to the ground and barreling towards his sister location. Rain dives to grip her hand but falls short and Dawn falls as did Artanis to the deep pit below. Artanis while in free falling grips his sword and wedges it into the side wall, stopping himself instantly, he looks to see Dawn coming behind him and wrapping his legs around the hilt of his blade he stretches out his arms to catch her. Dawn reaches for him and grips his arms, but the force of her weight is too much for the blade to hold up and it breaks at the hilt and they both continue to fall. Artanis pulls Dawn toward his torso and spins to have himself hit the ground first, the impact drives Artanis hard to the cold floor which was made of ice. He cracked it upon impact and Dawn bounces off him as she lands on top, she rolls to the side and quickly gets to her feet to see Artanis. She looks up for dust was sprinkling down on her and pulls Artanis from his landing just as stone rubble pounded the landing site. Artanis then coughs with blood dripping from his mouth. Rains calls from the surface after all the debris hits the icy floor and Dawn answers that they’re both alive, Rain says that he can’t teleport down there for something is disrupting his spell. Rain tells them he’ll find a way down and for them to stay where they are and agreeing Dawn goes back to Artanis’s side, she tells what plan Rain has and Artanis complies.

Dawn goes to heal Artanis’s wounds but the spell seems to be failing; “I don’t get it why isn’t this working, you have no spell resistance as a demon”

“But devils do” Artanis points out “I must have kept that ability, how unfortunate…plus the cold I know is not good for devils either, kind of a natural weakness for them”

“You hang on Artanis ok…you hear me, you’re going to be ok, Rain will be here soon and we’ll get you better”

“I know you will Dawn” he smiles, he sees her shiver and yawn, “Hey come here Dawn, come rest beside me you have been through so much, and let’s see if I can make these things work” Artanis replied as he tried moving his wings, she snuggled up to him and he wrapped his new leather flaps around the two of them as a blanket.

“I’m sorry it took me so long” said Dawn

“For what” Artanis asked, “To admit my feelings for you, I’m sorry I kept pushing you away, I wasn’t thinking. My heart wanted you but my mind told me to keep on the mission, didn’t realize I could have both till it was too late”

“Dawn you’ve always had me even when you were pushing me away, I love you…now get some rest, I’ll wake you when Rain shows up ok” and nodding her head she kisses him and then lying up against his chest she closes her eyes.

Hearing a soft voice that gets louder as Dawn regains focus, she makes out Rain’s voice from the hole they fell through, he says that he found a rope and he’ll bring it down to them not finding another way to get there.

“My brother; Always so punctual and thorough Dawn says sitting up and stretching her arms from a good warm sleep she moves Artanis’s wing to his side,

“Well time to go Artanis you ready… Artanis”

Dawn goes to him and shakes his arm to wake him up, his arm slides to his side limp; she feels his face to find it’s as cold as her own and a thin shocked panic stretches through her.

“Artanis!” she says again shaking his shoulders to see his head shift to one side of his body, “Artanis wake up! (Tapping his face lightly)…Artanis no…wake up” she says again with a plea to his ears, “Wake Up!” she says with a violent shove and a louder tone. “Artanis!!” she repeats with a whimper and then pulls his body to a stretched lying position, she kneels by his head side and opening his mouth begins the treatment Elanee did to Rain at the city, she repeats it over and over again until with no change she stops and looks upon him crying.

“Artanis…Not now you can’t leave me…not like this” she weeps and suddenly gets a thought to her head, she lays her hands upon his chest and closes her eyes, tears run down her face as she tries to concentrate on the power of the spell, her hands then glow a deep green color and lift from his body coating an aura around him in the same color.

“Artanis...please…I didn’t tell you my true feelings just so you could die on me…now WAKE UP!!!” she screamed at him and throwing every ounce of power she had left into its power and pressing down forcefully, Artanis’s body jolted like being pulsed by a powerful voltage.

She removed her hands to see no change to him and letting her tears run like a river she cries into his chest hard.

“Noo!” she cried

(Gasp!) Is heard from his mouth and turning to his face Dawn saw Artanis take a deep breath of life then sat up coughing; Dawn gasped as well looking at him and shifting her body by his face she leaned over bear hugging her arms around him tightly.

“I…I thought you were dead (she looked at his face, and lightly slapped his arm) don’t you ever do that to me again”

“Dawn… (Still coughing) I was dead. After you went to sleep I felt my life coming to an end and then nothing…you brought me back…Dawn you did it!” Artanis smirked and giggling to her own success the two of them shared a kiss until a rope then appeared and dangled from the holes bottom end spoiling the moment.

They climbed up to the top surprised to see Cloud extending his arm to bring up to the surface, the brothers then explained that after Dawn fell a portal gate opened back in Rain’s room that going through for help did he find Cloud waiting for him back at the hallway area they first started in. Since they had completed the tests they were allowed to roam through the room freely coming back to this one to save them. Dawn blurted out that she could now resurrect, and wondering how she found out she explained what happened to Artanis down there as well as telling Cloud what happened to him earlier.

They went back through the portal gate and the brothers told Dawn that this is not how the left it. The room had changed to a great hall looking room filled with white pillars rounding the border of it and sheets of marble were between them, the floor was solid black slate and the roof they could not see or even knew if there was one. One thing stood out to them all and that was at the center of the room, there stood a massive statue of an angelic figure holding what they needed, the blade of Conviction. As they went up to it they saw an inscription that could be read by all of them for it was carved in the common Drow language. It said that for the weapon to be grasped it must be held by the chosen and then for the blade to reach full potential does it need to be infused with the embers of righteousness which will glow brightly when located. Cloud moves up to the pedestal and attempting to grasp the weapon a shine glows to the blade, he pulls on it and it doesn’t move. Rain then tries with no luck and then came Dawn, she approached the weapon and it started to gain an electrical charge to it as well as its glow. She touched it and the blade’s hilt glowed brightly not allowing her to let go, Rain and Cloud pulled on her body to release her when a gas formation seemed to leak from her body into the blade itself.

“DAWN!!” cried Artanis knowing that he shouldn’t get close grips on to her and was blowing backwards some feet away and was knocked out, when the gas finally finished being pulled from her the hilt blasted her and the brothers backwards as well and landing on top of them she looked at her body, she frisked her body up and down with wonder as to what happened but when she got to her upper chest she stopped and held her hand by her heart…it was again beating…she was alive. She climbed off her brothers feeling her pulse to find that it was there again to and starting to get excited and jumped up and down yelling, “I’m alive” Rain went into thought and determined that it must be the blade itself that cured her and needed her cured for the blade to work with her. But again trying the blade with now worked the same as Cloud and Rain’s attempted the same result occurred. Dawn went over to Artanis who started to get up slowly but felt numb all over, Rain got the idea and gave his amulet to Cloud thinking that he needed to be in that form as he was before to grasp it, Dawn did the same and going up to the blade again Cloud was about to put them all on when he stopped, he called over his siblings and gave them back the medallion parts again.

“Cloud you need these to pick out the weapon” Rain went on,

“No Rain not just me…us”

“Us?” inquired Dawn confused when the Cloud went to detail about the prophecy being about all of them not just him. He told them to connect the parts together but still wearing them separately and doing so they all converted to the form that Colossus went to first before increasing his power and becoming just as tall. Artanis felt an acidic burn to his body and backed up away and slowly it dissipated from him. He figured it must be a holy aura that is harmful to devils and demons and looking on from a distance he lowered his head in shame but knowing it’s not his fault. The chosen went to the blade again and upon touching the blade it detached from its resting place.

“Whoa, is this what it feels like when you changed the other times Cloud?”

“Yep” “Hey who just thought of the combining skill idea?”

“I did”

“Who said that?”

“Me Cloud”

“Who’s me?”

“ME!”

“Who?”

“RAIN STUPID!”

“Oh my god guys…we can read each other’s thoughts and memories” ……….”Rain! You think that way about Alisianna, I never knew (Dawn giggling a bit)”

“Rain (Cloud bolted)”

“Hey don’t yell at me, not now since I now know why you took so long getting water for uncle during the promenade celebration 5 years ago, tisk tisk Cloud both the twins at once, if their father knew about that he’d tan your…”

“Ok enough let’s just stay out of each other’s…oh…my…god! Dawn!”

“What!”

“Logan Silias! Of all people to think as attractive…Him!” thought Cloud

“Grooooos!” Rain added

“Well I…that is to say…I only meant it as…well he’s not…not attractive” Dawn sparked out

“Eww!” Rain added again

“Oh you lay off you married woman thinker” (Cloud grumbled to in his head)

“Hey leave me alone, besides you had her at the throat for a first time meeting”

“Guys please we need to focus; now how do we leave this form now that we have the blade”

“You just think of separating and it just happens” Cloud went on and following his thoughts the three come out of the form fast and land to the ground hard, falling to their hands and knees the three shake their heads looking drained and exhausted.

“Wow that’s draining” said Rain stumbling to his feet

“Yeah using abilities is worse, but we need to prepare ourselves for the next time we do that it could be for the fight against him” said Cloud getting to his feet with no problem. Artanis come to Dawn’s aid helping her up and saw the three looking at one another when strange looks from the mind blend.

“What happened in there, the form looked so confused” Artanis said

“NOTHING!” the three bolted at once, and backing up Artanis lifted his hands

“Sorry I asked”, Cloud then took the sword and held it tight as the group left the tower when they saw the entry way was not blocked anymore. They then ran to the outside of the ruin tower fearing the worst had come to pass. As they cleared the rubble stone to the deserted open plain beyond, they scanned franticly around to see signs of their family, the first look brought around nothing but small distant voices were heard by Artanis when he took to the skies and looked from above to the south. He told the rest of their position and running to their location the children and Artanis were glad to see everyone accounted for. Taking a breather from the battle and recovering from the healing spell performed by Crysonia by some rocks in shadow. The children asked them what had happened to the Shade King and they happily reported that he had been defeated but not destroyed, they said in his own dimension he is only temporarily taken down until he, recharges like they are doing now. Cloud shows the parents the dreaded and holy blade of Conviction and it brings to the parents a deep inner light of hope. Artanis looks closely at Laurona and she inquires why the look as well as what happened to him.

“That’s easy milady the same that happened to you”

“I don’t know what you are talking about” Laurona replied to him turning around not facing him and checking Dawn for injuries

“I saw while I was in the transformation all the beings that had been changed before me and you were the last other one in there, it makes sense now about you knowing where the tower was for you have been here before correct” Artanis asked and turning her head in shame she nodded, Straud was speechless and baffled.

Laurona then explained as while as Dalamar helping her about how they had been here to quest for the blade before to rid the world of Colossus the first time. They shared in its tale about entering the tower portal holding hands and warping to the room where both Dawn and Artanis were, and there they met their doom. For Dalamar didn’t know the cure and was forced to watch the entire transformation of his wife into such a beast, but he knew of another for getting some of her blood before her transference was complete Dalamar cursed his blade into being the only one that could end her life and with it killed his own wife. He then used his power to bring her back for her life wasn’t totally drained from her body and Paladins at the elite master level with enough training can do such a task, Cloud was engrossed at such power being in his field and didn’t even know it could be done. Straud told Cloud that he didn’t even know of the power himself and for some time thought Dalamar didn’t either. The final story about their mother shocked the children but not in a shameful way, just how the background happened. Once they finished the story Laurona said that she had enough power to transport them back to the portal gate sight where they emerged and they should not wasn’t any more time here, for time wasn’t on their side, agreeing with the statement they all left. Cloud as they approached the area looked over to see Rain talking with his uncle and knew what about.

“Rain did you just…”

“You were alone with the twins doing what! I thought you were getting water Cloud” snapped Straud

“You bastard!” Cloud barked at his brother

“Cloud” Laurona defended

“He had impure thoughts about Alisianna, a lot!” Cloud stated

“Rain!” Dalamar scolded

“He’s not the only one”

“Straud!” said Crysonia”

“I’m sorry honey she is a very attractive nymph “ he said to her

“Wait, (Grinning) she’s a nymph”

“Dalamar” Laurona scolded

“And you Artanis are you in the group as well!” Dawn said folding her arms

“Me Dawn please, only you are ever on my mind” and glowing from the compliment Dawn hugs him and seeing Rain giving Artanis a look of disbelief Artanis mouths the word silently to Rain’s face (Alisianna…all the time)and Rain stared to chuckle.

For some tense moments the group looks to one another with stern looks and then breaks out in laughter from the shared family moment that passed.

“This was nice” said Laurona laughing, but interrupting her own happy laugh the group then grew silent for the time had they all knew what must now come to an end. Cloud then saw and pointed to the soul stones on the chests of the adults glowing brightly as did the blade of the sword and looking at one another the children knew what the motion was saying.

“No” said Dawn walking to the blade and looking at Cloud, “There’s a mistake we have to be able to get the powers somewhere else”

“It is not a mistake Dawn” said Laurona

“We were chosen and told at our death of this quest and future and honored by it we are” added Dalamar

“Dawn, we must go” said Crysonia coming to her with a hug

“Please Crysonia, there must be a way to bring you back, bring you all back” Dawn pleaded and looking at her mother and aunt who were looking at each other Dawn knew that they knew of a way. “There is! Please tell me I will do it. I’ll do anything to have you back in my life”

“To what end Dawn” replied Straud

“To what end, so that your with us once more of course” Dawn said with a tone of malcontent

“What Straud is saying Dawn, is that it is now not necessary for us to be among you,” Dalamar added and looking at her brother’s for support they understood what the elders where saying where she could not see it.

“But…” Dawn whined

“Baby listen to me” said Laurona “The reason you are as powerful, smart and beautiful as you are is because of the events through our absence not our help, you all have grown wise and true looking to our stars as a guide to make us proud”

“And proud we are” added Dalamar

“But we never got to know you, to love you” Dawn said

“You have always loved us Dawn, or you wouldn’t be the way you are” Laurona smiled to her coming close and baring a motherly hug to her body, “And just because we didn’t share physical love to one another doesn’t mean that this kind is any less strong”

The brothers came close to Dawn and Laurona separated from the hug to look upon them all “My Children. If we were to reemerge to you again, you would lose your independence for all future problems you would then consort with us for help and wisdom when you already poses the knowledge yourself, you would in short become less then you are now and that we can’t be part of…no parent could”

“Mother…please,” says Dawn starting to cry and hugging her tighter then before Laurona starts to tear up as well,

“Oh please don’t cry I can’t stand it anymore to see you sad Dawn, this is not the end for we shall meet again and be together once more…all of us (pulling the hug apart again) but until that time has come you must continue down this path and grow how you have been” she finished. Cloud then went to his father and hugged him one last time feeling every bit on his embrace Cloud closed his eyes to hold back the tears, but wasn’t successful and looking to his son’s face Dalamar smiled “You wouldn’t love us so much if you weren’t sad Cloud (patting his back )…take care of your siblings”

“I will father” Cloud replied wiping his eyes, Rain then hugged his father and grew soft as well “I’ll miss you father”

“And I you son…and I you” Dawn ran and hugged him tight as both Rain and Cloud embraced their mother

“You boys protect her, and each other, you need to protect each other” she said and having a moment hugging their uncle and aunt one last time with Artanis joining in.

They put on strong faces as their hearts wept when one by heartfelt one the stones diminished the sight of the family image it was holding, sifting into the blade of the weapon imbuing it disappearing from sight. The children burned to their minds the last image of their faces of the family as the blade grew brighter and brighter each time until the last soul was entered, as it did they saw the look upon Laurona's face as she vanished slowly from them, with the look of pride.

Going up to the blade that was standing by itself on end Cloud griped it and held it tightly and turned to the rest, “Lets finish this…for them” Cloud said holding his amulet out for the other to connect and in doing changed to the form of the chosen guardian, using the blade to literally cut through like a sheet an opening to the other realm there they went through being followed by Artanis to meet Colossus for the final battle.